The preseason Amway Coaches Poll is scheduled for release July 31. Each week USA Today spotlights a team likely to earn a spot in the poll. This time, it’s Ohio State.

The Buckeyes catch a bit of a break this season by missing West Division-favorite Wisconsin, but a Nov. 8 game at East Lansing against Michigan State is a big roadblock to the East title.

The situation

Ohio State followed a 12-0 start to 2013 by losing its final two games. The losses to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game and Clemson in the Orange Bowl left a sour taste to what would be considered a highly successful season at most institutions, but the Buckeyes hope to make their fans forget that ending with a league title and College Football Playoff appearance this season.

Key returners, losses

This is one instance when it’s necessary to list a team’s backup quarterback as a key loss. Braxton Miller is back, of course. But the dual-threat player has had an injury-plagued career, and Kenny Guiton no longer is around to take the reins of the offense should Miller miss any time. Sophomore Cardale Jones won the No. 2 job out of the spring, but he’s far from a finished product. Ezekiel Elliott most likely is the candidate to replace the departed Carlos Hyde atop the depth chart at tailback. There will be position battles during fall camp as new arrivals at receiver and along the offensive line could play immediately.

The defensive front is in excellent shape with ends Joey Bosa and Noah Spence and tackles Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington all back. The linebacker position also should be a strength with Joshua Perry and Curtis Grant returning, but Grant might be sharing time in the middle spot with early-enrolled freshman Raekwon McMillan.

Key number

8,346. Despite missing time with various injuries in each of his first three season, Miller enters his senior season with that number of yards of total offense: 5,292 passing and 3,054 rushing.

Why this is a Top 25 team?

Miller will be on the short list for most Heisman voters. If he can stay healthy, his experience running coaach Urban Meyer’s spread offense and a solid defensive front seven should have Ohio State in the conference hunt well into November if not beyond.